Publication

Although the Indian economy has continued to grow rapidly, poverty reduction is proceeding far more slowly than anticipated. This brief analyzes the reasons for this slow down and explores potential policies for improvement. It argues that concerted policy action is needed to lift the 350 million poor, who are increasingly concentrated in the poorer States, out of poverty. The author points out that the focus needs to shift from maximising the quantity of development funding to maximising development outcomes and the effectiveness of public service delivery.